04 March 2021

Toad-in-the-Hole Apple Dessert

Toad-in-the-Hole Apple Dessert / www.delightfulrepast.com


Toad-in-the-Hole Apple Dessert is a little something I invented one day when I wanted to eat a dessert but didn't want to go to the trouble of making one. You know what I'm talking about?

I mean I was soooo tired that the easiest of my easiest desserts sounded like waaaayyyy too much trouble. So I thought about the ingredients I had on hand and came up with this. The batter is simply my Yorkshire Pudding batter (minus the savory elements).

For those of you who may not know, toad-in-the-hole is a traditional British dish of sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding batter. And now I've turned it into a dessert.

Toad-in-the-Hole Apple Dessert / www.delightfulrepast.com


Precise times are included in the instructions because, just as a souffle is best served immediately, this dessert is at its best when served fresh out of the oven. Tastes fine later, but you'll want everyone at the table to see it before it, like a souffle, falls.

I make it in a Pyrex dish, so it's especially important to rest the batter for at least the full hour. The rest gives it a better rise, and it also ensures you won't be cracking your glass baking dish by pouring cold batter into a hot dish.

Hope you'll give it a try and let me know how you liked it.

Toad-in-the-Hole Apple Dessert / www.delightfulrepast.com

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Toad-in-the-Hole Apple Dessert


(Serves 4 to 6)

The Batter

1 1/4 dip-and-sweep cups (6.25 ounces/177 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 large eggs
1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces/59 ml) water
3/4 cup (6 fluid ounces/177 ml) milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons (1.5 ounces/43 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

The Apples

3 large baking apples (I used Pink Lady apples weighing about 6.5 ounces each)*
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

* If your apples are smaller, use four; the idea is to have apple quarters making a pretty solid layer.

1 An hour and a half before serving time, make batter. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon (to "sift"). Whisk in eggs and water; when smooth, whisk in the milk and vanilla extract. Cover and let stand for an hour. Generously butter (using about a tablespoon) the bottom of an 8x8x2-inch baking dish.

An hour and a quarter before serving time, preheat oven to 425F/220C/Gas7 for 15 minutes while proceeding with recipe. Peel, quarter, and cut away the cores of 3 large cooking apples and arrange them in the buttered baking dish. In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle it over the apples. Bake for 20 minutes. Melt the butter; set aside 1 tablespoon of it to cool. Remove apples from the oven. Quickly heat the 2 tablespoons of melted butter in the microwave and pour it over the apples.

Whisk the cooled tablespoon of melted butter into the batter. Pour the batter over the apples. Bake for 20 minutes; reduce heat to 350F/180C/Gas4 and continue baking for 20 minutes or until puffed and golden. Serve immediately. The ideal accompaniment is Custard Sauce, but vanilla ice cream or whipped cream will do in a pinch.

Tip:  Do not open the oven door to take a peek for at least the first 30 minutes. 

Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon .com and affiliated sites. We are a ThermoWorks affiliate, earning a small commission at no cost to you on purchases made through our links. This helps cover some of the costs of running the blog. Thank you for your support. 

Jean

54 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

Such a fun and creative dessert! That golden crisp top looks really inviting.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Angie, thank you! I was really pleased with it. Going to try it cold this morning for breakfast.

Jeanie said...

I might have to try this one. It looks impressive! I've never done anything like this before but for once I have all the ingredients (I usually never have milk) so it might be this weekend. Most intrigued!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Oh, Jeanie, I hope you will! It's so easy, not too sweet, quite healthy, actually!

ellen b. said...

Well that sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your successful experiment.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Ellen. I DO love experimenting!

Pom Pom said...

Hi Jean! You reminded me to update my blog and let people know I'm feeling fine. Thank you! Oh, I love your dessert invention! Sometimes I watch reruns of The British Baking Show and I get very hungry for baked things, but then I just eat a gf/df cookie and call it good!
YOU are such a fun food blogger! (BIG HUG!)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Aaaww, thank you so much, Pom Pom (K). This is an easy one to make GF/DF if you get tired of cookies! So glad you are feeling fine. Now stay that way! (Big hug) 🤗

Kitchen Riffs said...

This is really brilliant! Such a creative idea. Bet the flavor is awesome. Thanks!

gfe--gluten free easily said...

How brilliant, Jean! I love not following the rules/expectations! That's why I have a savory clafoutis on gfe. :-) I'm always looking for ways to use apples so I'll make a gf/df version of this soon. Then I can say I've made Toad in a Hole--the dessert version anyway. LOL Thanks!

Shirley

TONY said...

Cinnamon, sugar, vanilla, in a ,"toad in the hole," batter. It wouldn't work with Cumberland Sausages and gravy. Blimey!! I've got to get my head round this.

Jean, you must write a description of the flavour and texture. Will they let you back into Yorkshire? Ha! Ha!

I'm sure its very nice. Its certainly very adventurous.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, John. I had fun with this one!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Shirley, thank you! And I'll have to check out your savory clafoutis!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tony, nope, no Cumberland sausages and gravy with this one! I sure hope they'll let me back into Yorkshire because I'm itching to see more of it one day!

Dee | GrammysGrid.com said...

Looks and sounds like a tasty creation you made there!! Thanks so much for linking up with me at the Unlimited Monthly Link Party 22. Shared!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Dee! Much appreciated.

Gardening Helen said...

I've never heard of this dish before but it sounds really good. Pinned to try later! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party.

acorn hollow said...

very creative! it looks so good
Cathy

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, LG! Toad-in-the-hole is an old savory dish. I just made up the dessert version! And we loved it.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Cathy, thank you. I love experimenting in the kitchen!

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

“I’m late, I’m late…” no, Sully, that was the white rabbit…alas, but I’m also a big fan of Mr. Toad, of British extraction, from “Wind in the Willows.” So, naturally this is an irresistible recipe by name and substance. Apple pie, my tastebuds whisper, no doubt a travesty on your discriminating sensibilities. But there you have it.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Better late than never, Sully! Yes, Wind in the Willows is a grand story. And, yes, you may call this a sort of apple pie.

Darlene said...

I am so trying this. It looks awesome!!!Thanks

sillygirl said...

I just happened to have three pink ladies waiting for something - and I'm rich in eggs and milk at the moment! Ready to cook! Thanks!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Darlene, thank you. DO let me know how it turns out for you!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

I'm so glad, sillygirl! I want to hear all about it!

Lowcarb team member said...

Well, this is a little different Jean ...
Many thanks for sharing this recipe idea.

All the best Jan

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Jan. I love coming up with something different!

Sherry's Pickings said...

great idea to try something different. and of course with apples inside, this must be healthy and good for you:)
cheers
sherry

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Love the name! Looks delicious, too. I made your sourdough starter and baked my first loaves - so proud of myself - thanks for the great tutorial! x K

Fran @ G'day Souffle said...

Yum, I like the way the apples appear through the batter at the end of the baking. Serving the dish with the custard cream sounds brilliant! BTW, I was so happy to hear from you again on my blog!

Jeanie said...

I made this last night! It was a hit! A couple of things I noticed -- I forgot to peel the apples and wish I did. (I have trouble with digesting peels). Rick didn't mind one single bit.

Also, for me, three apples, quartered, were way too big for my 8x8. I ended up with quite a large dish and was worried the batter wouldn't puff adequately but it did. I'm going to have it for breakfast soon! Thanks for this one!

Cocoa and Lavender said...

I just love the creativity of this, Jean! What a nice surprise to find it was a dessert and not a sausage dish. (Not that the sausage version wouldn’t be nice...) Definitely on my list to try!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Sherry. Yes, with its low sugar content, it's really quite a healthy dessert!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Karen, thank you. And thanks for letting me know you made my sourdough starter and had great success with it!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Fran! I too love the way the apples peek through the batter.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jeanie, I'm so glad you and Rick liked it! I leave the peels on lots of times, but for this I took them off because the apple pieces are so large. I wouldn't mind, but thought it might be a problem for some people.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

David, thank you so much. I know you love getting creative in the kitchen, and your dishes are always beautiful as well as delicious.

Richard Sheppard said...

oh, yum! I'm saving this recipe for later. Looks delish!!!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Richard. I hope you'll like it as much as we do!

Phil in the Kitchen said...

This is lovely and just perfect for this time of year, especially on a cold day when spring seems to be some time away. It does evoke a difficult memory for me, though, of a time in France when I called a flognarde (made with apples) a clafoutis (never made with apples, or so I was told, in no uncertain terms). My hosts regarded me with considerable suspicion after that.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

What a splendid dessert, Jean! I have never heard of Toad-in-the-Hole Apple Dessert before. But I have made many toad-in-the hole for breakfast for my children when they were growing up. I have also made Yorkshire Pudding with Meatballs. Same idea as your dessert only using meatballs instead of the apples. I love Yorkshire pudding! Now I can use it as a dessert too. I'm definitely going to make this. Hubby will love it {with vanilla ice cream}. Thanks for sharing with us.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Phil, that's hilarious! But you may have seen my post of cranberry and apple clafoutis. Of course, I've been told I might be regarded with considerable suspicion in Yorkshire after this sweet toad-in-the-hole!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Sandi! And I think you'll appreciate, as I do, how easy it is, great for those days when you really want a dessert but don't have a lot of time and/or energy for it. The meatballs sound good too.

Victoria Zigler said...

Very creative idea.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Victoria! It was fun. And something I'll make from now on.

The Liberty Belle said...

MMmmmm! Thanks for sharing!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, TLB!

Miz Helen said...

Hi Jean,
Your awesome Toad In The Hole Apple Dessert is featured on Full Plate Thursday,527. We pinned your post to our features board and thanks so much for sharing with us!
Miz Helen

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Miz Helen, thanks so much for the feature and sharing my post! Much appreciated. Happy Spring!

Pauline Wiles said...

Wow, genius idea! I love toad in the hole and I love any dessert with apples in, too. This is surely a winner.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Pauline! And it is sooooo easy! Hope you'll try it soon and let me know how it was!

Gail Is This Mutton? said...

Such a great idea to create a sweet version of toad in the hole! It looks like a real show stopper. Thanks for linking Jean

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Gail! I need to make it again this week.